Can-capping machine.



N0. 636,|20. Patented Dot. 3|, I899.

. J; DES BRISAY.

GAN CAP'PING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1898.) (No Model.) 7 Shuts-Sheet l.

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Patented on. 3|, I899. .1. DES BRISAY. 7

CAN CAPPIN'G MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1898.)

TH; mums PETERS ca. wnmuumo WASHINGTON. o. c.

No; s36,|2o. Patented Obt. 3 I899.

.1. DES BRISAY. CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Sept. 6, 1898.) (No Model.) -7 Sheets-Sheet 3,

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No. 636,l20. Patente d Oct. 3|, I899.

J. DES BRISAY.

CAN GAPPINGMAGHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1898) (No Model.) 7 SheetsSheet 4,

, 'INVENTOH JDesBzz'sa ifiafim BY [9 ATTORNE- ru: mm: bzrzns ca, vuomuwu. WASNINGTON. m c.

.1 DES BmsAY. CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1898.)

7 SheetsSheet 5,

(No Model.)

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Patented Oct. 3|, I899.

J. DES BRISAY.

CAN GAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Sept. 8, 1898.) (No Mgdel.) 7 Shaets-Sheet 6.

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-.1. DES BRISAY.

CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Sept. e, 1898.

Patented Oct; 3|, I899.-

(NoModeL) 7 Shee'ts-Sheet 7.

WITNESSES //V VENTOR I A TTOHN E Y S Q m: NOFRIS PETERS co. PQo'm-umo" WASNiNGTON, u c.

PATENT JAMES DES BBISAY, OF NEW WESTMINSTER, CANADA.

CAN-CAPPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 636,120, dated October 31, 1899.

- Application filed September 6, 1898. Serial No, 690,272, (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES -DEs BRISAY, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing in the city of New Westminster, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented a new and useful Can-Capping Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The first part of m yinvention relates to an improved method of handling cans to and from the machine, as will be fully pointed out in the specification and claims; and the second part of my invention consists in the simple and novel means of applying the caps to the cans.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the handling of the cans to and from the machine and to provide a machine for applying the caps to cans that is comparatively inexpensive and simple in its parts of construction, and consequentlyatime and money saving machine to the canner. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in WlllCl1- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my machine, taken at line 2 2 in Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the can-feed and take-off belt and its driving and guide pulleys. Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine. Fig. 3 is a side sectional elevation of the machine. rectionof the arrow in Fig. 2'. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional plan taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged section-a1 detail of the same with parts broken away. This figure is for the purpose of illustrating the contour of the can-guides into and out of the machine from and to the same belt and also the mechanism that manipulates the cans to their respective positions in the machine. Fig. 6 is an elevation of a part of the mechanism in the last-mentioned figure. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail showing the tripping arm or bar in an. inverted position. Fig. 8 is a plan of the mechanism which delivers the caps to the cans; and Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View of the same, taken on line 4: at and the view taken in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 10 shows a plan View of a modification of the can-feeding device. Fig. 11 is avertical section of the same, taken at line 5 5 of the last figure, showing its application to the ma- This view is taken in the dichine; and Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail of the arm which actuates the can-spacing trigger.

Similar numerals and letters'refer 'to simi lar parts throughout the several views, in which- 10 indicates the main frame of the machine. This frame 10 has oppositely-supportinglegs 10*, having bossed portions 10 for the reception of the shaft 11, which is suitably journaled therein.

Arranged to one side of the frame 10 and passing vertically through a bossed portion 10 therein is a shaft 12, and movement is imparted to this shaft by a beveled toothed wheel 13, rigidly fixed to the shaft 11 and meshing with a Wheel 14., secured on the depending end of the shaft 12.

Secured to the top of the shaft 12 and resting on an upwardly-projecting boss 10 of the frame 10 is a gear-wheel 15. Arranged toward the opposite side of the frame-1O is an upwardly-projecting column 10, the reason for which will beseen presently.

Placed horizontally on the frame 10 is a table 16. This is provided with openings to receive the boss 10 and the column 10 and it is securely bolted to the frame 10.

. Secured beneath the table 16, near the opposite side thereof, and placed at right angles to the frame 10 is a depending support 17, which depends to a level with the bottoms of the legs 10 of the frame 10. By reason of this support 17 being of tubular material it serves a double purpose as a support for the machine, and when the orifice, as should be the case, communicates through the table 16 and through the fioorsupporting the machine any liquids dropped on the table will pass down through the openings.

Journaled on the column 10 is a rotary carriage 18, and securely fixed to the lower part of this carriage is a toothed ring 19, which meshes with the wheel 15 on the shaft 12, and thereby rotary motion is conveyed to the carriage 18 when the machine is in mo tion.

Quadrally arranged around the upper plane of the carriage 18 are pockets 18 and in these pockets are vertical movable plungers 20. Secured to the plunger-s 20 and passing downward through the lower shells of the pockets are stems 21.

Pivotally secured to extending webs on the under sides of the carriage 18 are radial arms 22. These arms 22 pass through apertures 21 in the depending ends of the stems 21, and on their ends are antifriction-rollers 23, taking around a track 24. This track 24., as shown in Fig. 1, is arranged on an uneven plane, so that as the carriage 18 is rotated and the rollers 23 are passed thereover the stems 21 will rise and fall, and consequently the plungers will be driven upward and depressed at intervals around the axis of the machine, for a specific reason to appear. The track 24 is supported by brackets 25 and 26, and, as shown in Fig. 6, the supportbrackets 25 are provided with slots 25, through which a bolt is passed and threaded into the track 24, so that said track may be rigidly fixed at the desired elevation. The bracket 26 (see Fig. 1) is securely bolted beneath the track and is arranged to be depressed slightly, as will be fully explained hereinafter.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1,the column 1O is cored out to lighten it, and on the top is detachably fixed a distance-piece 27, the same being designed to support a cap or plate 28, which is provided with a can1-track 28: on its under side.

Supported on and securely connected above the carriage 18 by brackets 29 is a jaw-carriage 30. This jaw-carriage is provided with circular openings 30, placed in a perpendicular line above the plungers 20 in the carriage 18 beneath, and these openings are bellmouthed from below, so that as a can is forced upward it will be guided to proper alinement with such plunger. On the opposite sides of the extending ends of the radial arms of the jaw-carriage are rigidly-fixed segments of the jaws, as 31, these being rigidly secured in place by machine-bolts passing through slots 31 and threading into the jaw-carriage. The semicircular openings in the fixed segments of the jaws have their under sides beveled on the same plane and are brought flush with the openings 30, so that when a can engages the beveled or flared opening it will be guided to its proper position. In case of the jaw-segments becoming worn and thereby the openings becoming enlarged the slots 31 allow of the segments being adjusted to properly engage the upper rims of the cans. On the inner sides of the openings 3O are arranged the segments 32, forming the opposite sides of the openings. These parts 32 are movable and have their inner ends lying beneath the cap 28. Projecting upwardly from the segments 32 are rigidly-fixed pins 33, carrying antifriction-rollers 34, which take around the cam-track 23, and, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, when each jaw comes to the point where the can is received the members 31 and 32 will be drawn apart, and the opening thereby will be enlarged for the reception of a can; but when the opposite side of the machine is reached, where the capis introduced,

the opening will be contracted and the can held firmly to receive the said cap by reason of the cam 28 having pushed the movable member 32 forward. It is also shown that as the can is received the plunger 20 is in its normal position, and as it is carried around on such plunger 20 the said plunger will be driven upward, and the can when contacted with its cap is embraced in the opening by means of the rise in the track 2t driving the stem 21 of the plunger upward, and as the said can is further carried around the same will fall to its normal position or plane and be ejected from the machine to the same belt, as will be better understood presently.

As shown in Fig. 9, to properly guide the cap to its respective can and cause it to seat properly thereon, as said can is held between the members 31 and 32 the circular opening in each member is contracted, gripping the can below its top rim, and the said opening is flared upward,as 32,for about the depth of the cap to allow space for each one to be pressed down without engaging said opening in a resisting manner while being pressed down.

Securely bolted to the cap 28 and extending radially therefrom is a bracket 35, the extending end of which is secured to a standard 36, rigidly connected to the table 16. At the radius or track of the cans this bracket 35 is depressed to proximity with the upper plane of the jaws 31 and 32, and, as better shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a trap-door 37 is ar-.

ranged hinged on the receding side of bracket 35 and in line with the advancing cans and caps, so that as each cap a is caught within its rim at an angle by the can b the trapdoor will cause the rear side of the cap to be depressed to the same plane as the can as it is drawn under, the cap at the same time being drawn from the chute 38 through a flat opening 35. As the can is carried to a point at the rear side of the trap-door, beneath the hinge of same, a rigid resistance will be effected from above, and in the event of a can being a trifle taller than the usual it is evident that damage might be done to such can or to the machine. To avoid this, the track 24, supporting the plunger 20, (see Fig. 1,) is supported in a depressible manner by a depending bolt 39, passing loosely through the bracket 26 before mentioned, the same being threaded in a projecting bracket 36 on the standard 36. Arranged on the said bolt 39, beneath and supporting the bracket 26, is a spring 40. This spring 40 is of suificient strength to force the cans upward by holding the track 24 in its proper position and resist any ordinary strain; but, as before indicated, if a long can is met with before damage can be inflicted to the same the spring 40 will allow the track 2% to be depressed sufficiently to allow the can to pass.

When it is desirous to adjust the track 24 up or down, a few turns of the bolt 39 will effect this purpose, when the nuts 41 and 41 may be jammed against the brackets 36 and IIO 26, which will prevent said bolt from moving from its proper position.

As better shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 8, 42 indicates an arm having its inner end depending into the track of the can-caps, as 42", and its outer end is fixed to a vertical bar 43, the lower end of which is pivoted to a projection 36 on the standard 36. Arranged between a stop 42 on the arm 42 and the upwardly-projecting portion 35 of the bracket 35 is a spiral spring 44. This spring 44 holds the arm 42 forward, so that its depending end engages in the track of the caps and prevents them from coming past a certain point until the arm is thrown back. As each can passes around before engaging its cap it is engaged by an arm or finger 45, which is passed through an aperture in the standard 36 and secured to the bar 43. This will throw the said bar backward, and consequently will withdraw the arm from the track of the caps and will thereby let a cap down to be taken by the can so engaging the finger 45.

To assist in guiding the caps and at the same time offering a yielding resistance to each side of them while being drawn forward by the cans, I provide resilient fingers 46 on each side of the trap-door 37. These fingers bear against the sides of the caps, so that if rigid resistance is offered on one side by the can the cap will be pressed over, so that a proper alinement is obtained by one of the fingers being forced over, and thus causing the cap to go on straight.

The cans are fed from the belt 47, on the opposite side of the machine from the resilient fingers 46, in the direction of the arrow. The said belt passes over a crescent-shaped frame 48, which is on a level with the top of the carriage 18, and this frame 48 is rigidly fixed and held in place by the bracket or standard 49, which is bolted to the frame 10. A grooved track 48 is formed in the frame 48, over which the belt 47 travels, the groove being to place the upper surface of the belt on a level plane with the upper surface of the frame 48, so that cans will slide thereover without coming in contact with any uneven surfaces to and from the plungers or supports 20.

Resting on and securelybolted to the outer edge of a projecting portion of the frame 48 is a guide-frame 50. This frame 50 is elevated and projected horizontally over the belt 47 toward the center of themachine.

Rigidly fixed to the top of the column l0 is a guide-frame 51, which projects radially from the said column toward the guide-f rame 50, the two frames being parted by a space 52. (See Fig. 5.) This space is for the purpose of allowing the u pwardly-projecting web of the guard-arms 29 (see Figs. 1 and 5) of the brackets 29, which connect the carriages 18 and 30 together, to pass therebetween on their way around.

The opposite sides of the frames 50 and 51 are provided with contours of concave form,

A as 53 and 54, so that the cans will be guided therearound to and from the machine, the side 53 being to receive the cans and the side 54 being to deliver the capped cans to the same belt from which they are taken. At some distance around the concave 53 of the guide 51 the said guide projects to proximity with the circle described by the inner peripheries of the plungers 20, as 51. This has the effect of alining the can upon the plunger on which it rests. In proximity to the circle described by the opposite peripheries of the said plungers, rigidly fixed on the frame 48, is a bracket 55. This also assists in properly placing the cans, so that when they are driven upward by the plungers they will enter the openings in the jaw-carriage.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to assist in spacing and throwing the cans from the belt 47 to their respectiveseats on the plungers 20 I provide a compound lever mechanism which consists of an arm 56, having its outer end deflected inwardly from the path of the cans. About the center of this arm 56 is pivotally connected a bar 57, the opposite end of which is pivoted to an arm58, which arm is rigidly fixed to a vertically-placed rock-shaft 59, journaled in the frames 48 and 50. This shaft 59 is held in its normalposition by a spiral spring 60, having one end secured thereto and the other end secured to the .under side of the frame 48. This keeps the arm 58 back in the opening between the frames 48 and 50. Rigidly fixed to the depending end of the said shaft 59 is an arm 61, and pivotally secured to a pin 62 on the projecting end thereof is a bar 63. This bar 63 is held in alinement with the arm 61 by a spring 64, the one end of which lies around and is fastened to the depending end of the shaft 59, and the opposite end of the spring is. fastened to a pin on the farther end of the bar 63, and by reason of the spring passing around the pin 62 at the center of the bar and around the shaft 59 the recess 63 in\the said bar will be normally pressed against the shaft 59 with considerable resistance to hold the lever in position to be operated, as hereinafter described. (See Fig. 7, inverted.)

When the machine is in motion and the cans are being fed thereto, as each pocket 18 comes around the lever 63 will be forced backward thereby. This will throw the arm 58 forward, and consequently the crooked arm 56 will be thrust into the track of the cans, and if a can has not passed inward to beyond the apex of the guide-bracket 55, as 55*, the can will be prevented from passingin and will be forced back onto the belt 47; but, as should be the case, if the cauhas passed the said point 55 when the lever is thrown forward it will be pushed forward into its seat over the plunger 20. In the event of a can being caught between the point 55 and the point of the arm 56 before the can will be damaged the spring 64 will yield and allow the bar 63 to be pressed backward until the pocket 18 shall have passed by, when the next oscillation of the bar 63 will push the can forward by the arm 56.

On the delivery side of the machine, to prevent the possibility of the caps sticking in the jaws as they are opened and the lifting of a cap as a can is lowered, I provide a bracket 66, which projects upward and is rigidly fixed to the frame 48. As the can is released its upper periphery is engaged by this bracket 66, which pushes the can clear of the outer fixed jaw 31 in the frame 30, and as a farther point is reached the can is engaged on its opposite side by the projection 51. (See Fig. 5.) This detaches the can from both jaws preparatory to being ejected from the machine, and the said can follows the contour 54 out onto the belt 47, whence it will be carried away. The caps are conveyed along a belt 67 in the direction of the arrow, which belt passes over a pulley arranged on a shaft 68, secured on an upwardly-disposed bracket 69, which is supported by a stem 70. This stem 70 passes through the projecting end of a bracket 71, which is securely bolted to the top of the table 16.

By means of the set-bolt- 72 in the boss of the bracket 71 it is shown that the belt 67 may be raised or lowered, and consequently the pitch of the inclined cap-chute may be changed or adjusted, so that the caps will slide from the belt 67 by gravity.

Movement is imparted to the belt 67 by a belt 73, taking around a pulley 74, which is secured on the shaft 11, and a pulley 75, secured on the shaft 68.

Instead of employing the can-feed mechanism, as illustrated by numerals 56 to 65, the modification shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 may be employed. In this the frames 48 and 50 would be slightly changed to the forms here employed. A vertical shaft 79 is journaled in the frames 48 and 50 and in a bracket 80, secured to the lower part of the bracket 49 beneath. Communicating movement to the said shaft 79 is a beveled gearwheel 81, secured on the main drive-shaft 11 and meshing with a like wheel 82, secured on the lower end of the same. Keyed to the shaft 79, and with its boss resting on the frame 50, is an elliptical cam 83. Connecting with a groove 83 in this cam 83 is a pin 84, rigidly secured to the end of a lever 85, the opposite end of which is pivoted to a trigger 86, having laterally-disposed fingers 86 at the opposite ends thereof. The trigger 86 is pivoted at its center 011 an upwardly-projecting pin 87, which pin is secured to the frame 48. (See Fig. 10.) Bigidly fixed in the rear end of the trigger 86 is a pin 88, which passes through a slot 85 in the lever 85, and the forward end of said lever is provided with a recess 85", which lies against the pin 87. Coiled around the said pin 87, and with its two projecting ends lying on the inner sides of pins 86 and 85, secured to the trigger and to the lever, respectively, is a spring 88, as illustrated in Fig. 12. It is shown from the foregoing that as the cam 83 passes around the lever 85 will oscillate back and forth, and consequently the fingers 86 of the trigger 86 will be thrust alternately within the track of the cans, and the said cans will be thereby spaced. Should a can be caught in its track by either of the fingers, the spring 88 will prevent the fingers from injuring the same by one of them being forced back until the can is again released by the long radius of the cam 83 having passed around. livoted to the opposite edges of the major axis of the cam 83 are resilient arms 89. The inner ends of these arms 89 are held against the opposite sides of the shaft 79 by springs 90. These springs are secured to pins 91 on the opposite projecting ends of the arms 89 and are coiled around the pivot-pins 92 of the arms, and their inner ends lie against the shaft 79, the strain being exercised to cause the inner ends of the arms 89 to hug the shaft 79 tightly, so that as the cam swings around the projecting ends of the arms will engage the cans and push them to and from the machine, and consequently from and to the belt 47. If a can is caught by one of the arms 89 before the opening between the brackets 29, and consequently the plunger 20, on which it rests, has arrived to the point where it can be received, the arm so engaged will spring back and allow the cam to pass around without damage to the said can.

In the operation of my machine motive power is imparted to the pulley 77*, which is loosely mounted on the drive-shaft 11. The lever 77 is thrown over. This couples said pulley to the shaft 11 by means of the clutch 77, slidably mounted thereon, and movement will be imparted to the rotary frames 18 and 30 through the gears 13, 14, 15, and 19, which movement will be in the direction of the arrow. (See Fig. 2.) By reason of the feedbelt 47 passing under the pulley 76, secured on said shaft 11, and over the idler 78 movement is imparted to the same, and by placing the cans thereon they are pushed into the spacing mechanism. however, may be driven independent of the machine, in which case the pulley 76 would be loosely mounted on the shaft 11. As aforesaid, the cans will be fed into the concave 53 of the guide-frames 50 and 51, and as each pocket carrying a plunger 20 comes around the projecting arm 63 beneath will be engaged by the same. This will throw the arm 56 forward and push the can into its seat over the plunger 20, and as the machine passes around the said plunger will be driven upward, and the top rim of the can thereon will be passed through between the jaws 31 and 32 by reason of the roller 23, controlling such plunger, following the incline of the track 24, and at the same time the said jaws will be forced together and will grip just below the upper edge of the can tightly. At this point the can en- The can-feed belt 47,

IIC

gages the inner side of the downwardly-angling cap ct,(see Fig. 9,) which will be carried forward and pressed down upon the can by the trap-door 37 of the bracket 35. As the 5 cans pass to this point the jaws will open by the action of the rollers 34 in the cam-track 28, and as the can is carried around it is engaged by the bracket 66, which throws it clear of the outer jaw, and on the opposite side, at a point farther around, the can is engaged by the projecting frame 51*, which detaches the same clear of the inner jaw. At this point the track 24,which elevates the can, descends and allows the can to take its normal position, when it is pushed around the concave 54 of the frames 50 and 51 onto the belt 47, from which it was first taken. The above operation is repeated each time a pocket engages the bar 63, and as a new cap takes the place of the last one taken by a can each can that passes around is capped and passes to the belt'47.

The chute 38, which may be supported by any suitable means, is supplied with caps by the belt 67, which is driven by the belt 73 communicating with the main drive-shaft ll of the machine, and the shaft 68.

Considering the intricate work my improved machine is intended to perform and the vast number of cans it will cap in a short space of time, its parts of construction, and

consequently its movements, are very simple.

, The essential feature in canning machinery is to be as simple and strong as possible, and

thus to avoid the necessityof the employment of skilled labor,and reduce to a minimum the possibility of expensive delays to the canners during the busy season. It is of vital importance to. cover and seal the cans with as little 4o delay as possible to the benefit of thefoodstuff they may contain.

I am aware that prior to this invention can capping or heading machines have been in operation on the principle of introducing a cap to the can while they are both on alevel plane and also of means for forcing the end of a can-body into the flange of a can-head by a tilting motion. Therefore I do not claim such means for applying the caps or heads to cans; but

' What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine for applying caps to cans, the combination of a rotary can-carriage hav- 5 5 ing vertically-movable can-supports therein, contractible jaws above said supports, means for yieldingly forcing the cans upward, and a cap-chute substantially as described.

2. In a machine for applying caps to cans,

the combination of a rotary can-carriage having verticallymovable can -support-s, contractible jaws above such supports, a capchute, and a yieldingly-mounted cam-track arranged to force the can-supports upward,

substantially as described.

3. In a machine for applying caps to cans, the combination of a rotary can-carriage hav ing vertically-movable can -supports, contractible jaws located above the support, a cap-chute, a cam-track arranged for forcing the can-supports upward,and means for yieldingly supporting and for adjusting the track vertically, substantially as described.

. 4. In a machine for capping or heading can's having a rotary carriage with can-supports and a jaw-carriage having openings therein over the can-supports, a bracket rigidly fixed to a column, which column passes upward through the axis of the carriage, a standard 36 rigidly fixed to the projecting end of said bracket and connecting with a fixed table below the can-carriage, a cap-chute arranged atan incline and connecting with an opening 35 for the passage of the caps, a trap-door 37 arranged on a level plane in proximity above the plane of the jaws for pressing the caps down on the cans, as set forth.

5. In a machine for capping cans having a rotary carriage with vertical-movable can-supports therein, and means for forcing cans upward into jaws above the same; a horizontal bracket 35 rigidly fixed over the track of the cans, a'chute for supplying caps through an opening 35 at an angle to the under plane of the bracket, and tangent to the axis of the openings in the said jaws; an arm 42 having a depending portion in the track of said caps, said arm passing through a standard 36 and being connected to a vertical bar which is piv-' oted to the opposite side of the standard, an arm 45 secured to the said bar and projecting into the track of the cans, whereby, when a can comes around, the arm 42 will be drawn back and a cap will be allowed to drop to engagement with the can so engaging the arm 45, as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A bracket 35 rigidly supported at both ends having a plane surface on its under side above the track of the cans, means for passing the cans thereunder in a vertical position; a chute for caps communicating beneath the said bracket 35, tangent to the path of the cans, such chute being angled downward, so that a can will engage the under rim of a cap;

an upwardly-movable door 37 hinged at the rear side of said bracket, springs 46 depending through openings in the opposite sides of said door, the same being to engage the opposite sides of the caps, as they are drawn beneath the movable door,which will press them downward on the cans, as set forth.

7. In a machine of the class described having a rotary carriage with vertical-movable can-supports therein, means for pushing the supports upward, so that the upper rims of the cans held thereon will be engaged and firmly held in jaws while caps are being pressed downward thereon, each of such jaws being in two sections, fixed and movable; a fixed bracket 66 engaging the outer sides of the cans and detaching them from the outer jaws, and a guide-frame 51 engaging the inner sides of the cans and detaching them from the movable jaws, before the capped cans are delivered from the machine, as set forth.

8. In combination with a rotary carriage having vertical-movable carriers for cans, and contractible jaws above such carriers, means for closing said jaws upon the upper rims of the cans and opening the same after each can has received a cap, and of fixed devices 66 and 51 on the outer and inner sides of the can-track respectively, for detaching the cans from said jaws.

9. In a machine of the class described having a rotary carriage and can-supports therein for cans, a fixed crescent-shaped frame 48 arranged on an even plane with said carriage, a belt 47 passing over the said frame, and means for passing cans from the belt to the carriage and back from the carriage to the said belt on the opposite side of an obstruction, as set forth.

10. In a can-capping machine having a rotary carriage with vertical-movable can-supports therein, a jaw carriage having contractible openings therein to receive the canmouths, brackets 29 rigidly connecting the said carriages, the opposite ends of these brackets forming guards for the cans while on the said supports; a rigidly-fixed can-guide passing radially from the axis of the rotary carriage over a feed and delivery belt 47, the opposite sides of this guide or guides being of concave form for guiding the cans in a circular contour, and a parting-way between said guideway for the passage of the vertical webs of the brackets 29, substantially as specified. I

11. A belt 47 for passing cans to a rotary carriage, a concave guideway for guiding the said cans, the said guideway having a like contour on the opposite side for the delivery of the cans from the machine to the same belt, and the said guideways being intersected by a space 52, for the passage of supporting devices on the carriage.

12. In a capping-machine having a rotary carriage with vertically-movable can-supports therein, an. uneven track 24 beneath for controlling the movementof such supports,brackets 25 fixed to a table 16, slots 25 in such brackets and bolts taking through such brackets, whereby a portion of said track may be.

set at different elevations.

13. A can-cappin g machine having a rotary can-carriage and vertically-movable can-supports therein, a fixed track 24 beneath such carriage arranged on an uneven plane, a means of pressing a cap downward on each can as it passes a point at the highest elevation on the track 24, a portion of the track at this point being on a level plane, and a depressible bracket 20 arranged to support the same, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

14. In a device for spacing and for feeding cans to a rotary can-carriage, a bracket 49 supporting a frame 48, a belt 47 passing over said frame, and a guide-frame 50 secured to the projecting edge of the frame 48, in combination with a guide-frame 51 radially projecting from the axis of the said carriage, the said frames 50 and 51 extending above and over the belt and the carriage, for passing cans from and to the said belt.

15. In combination with a rotary can-carriage, a fixed frame 48 and a belt passing over the same, a guide-frame 50 fixed above and extending over the belt, a vertical shaft 79 passing through the frames, which are located above and below the belt, a cam 83 secured on the upper end of said shaft and resting 011 the frame 50, a trigger 86 pivoted to theframc 48, and an arm 85 connecting the cam and the trigger together, and means for imparting movement to the shaft 79, whereby the arm 85 will oscillate the fingers of the trigger alternately over the belt 47.

16. In combination with a rotary can-carriage, a belt 47 passing over and under frames 48 and 50 respectively, a vertical shaft 79 journaled in the said frames, and means for rotating the said shaft at a speed two to one in relation to the said carriage, a cam 83 secured to the said shaft above the frame 50, a trigger mechanism 86 pivoted to the frame 48, fingers 86 on said trigger extending over the belt 47 in the path of the cans, a bar 85 connecting the trigger with the cam in a pivoted manner, the same being held in such pivotal manner by a spring 88 taking around the pivot-pin of the trigger and resting against a pin 86 on the trigger and a pin 85 on the bar 85, and means for allowing the trigger to be moved upon its pivot independent of its oscillating arm 85.

17. In a device for spacing and feeding cans to a rotary can-carriage, a belt 47 passing over and under rigidly-fixed frames 48 and 50 in proximity to the can-carriage, the frame 50 having its opposite sides of concave form, an elliptical cam arranged to turn above the frame 50, resilient arms 89 pivoted to the opposite edges of the major axis of the said cam, whereby, as said cam passes around, a can will be pushed to or from the belt 47 by the same.

JAMES DES BRISAY.

Witnesses:

W. G. TRETHEVVEY, ROWLAND BRITTAIN. 

